Aston Villa's injuries are the inconveniences that get in the way of Dean Smith fielding his strongest claret and blue team from one week to the next.

The new-look squad were beaten 1-0 by Crystal Palace last time out after referee Kevin Friend denied them a last-gasp equaliser with a controversial decision to punish Jack Grealish for diving. Up next it's West Ham at Villa Park on Monday.

Villa have a 25-man squad to choose from following the summer transfer window and, as the exciting new Premier League season continues, we will keep details of all the injuries up to date.

INJURIES

JONATHAN KODJIA

Injury: Cheekbone

Details: Upon returning back to training after an ankle injury, Kodjia has since suffered a fractured cheekbone after a clashing with Villa teammate Marvelous Nakamba at Bodymoor Heath.

Last match: Saturday, August 10 - Tottenham 3 Villa 1, 26 minutes.

Expected return date: Two to three weeks depending on operation on broken cheekbone. Looking to be ready for either Burnley at home on September 28 or Norwich away a week later (October 5). Will be wearing a protective mask, you'd expect.

What Smith said: "Jonathan Kodjia fractured his cheekbone in a training ground injury. He just clashed heads with Marvelous Nakamba in a non-competitive part of training. We thought it was OK but they've picked up a fracture at the hospital and he'll have to have an operation on that now and will be out for the next two to three weeks."

MATT TARGETT

Injury: Hamstring

Details: Tweaked his left hamstring after putting a ball down the flank for Anwar El Ghazi at Crewe Alexandra in the Carabao Cup.

JAMES CHESTER

Injury: Hamstring

Details: Returned into the Villa fold for the club's Minnesota camp and played 45 minutes in the 3-0 friendly victory over the MLS side. Was back in a Villa shirt four days later at Shrewsbury Town but hobbled off after twinging in hamstring. Missed friendlies at Walsall, Charlton and Leipzig.

Dean Smith has confirmed that Chester should return to training in the next two weeks, he said: “It has been a frustrating one with his hamstring injury but I am hoping he will be back in training during the international break."

Last match: Sunday, July 21 - Shrewsbury Town 0 Villa 1, 45 minutes.

Expected return date: Still short on match fitness but back in full training, meaning the West Ham fixture will come too soon.

What Smith said: "He trained with us for the first time this week and he's in and around us now. His will be a little bit longer rehabilitation."